Fans Upset Over Netflix's Squid Game: The Challenge Cash Prize Amid Company Layoffs

Squid Game fans aren't too happy that Netflix has greenlit a Squid Game reality competition series based on the dystopian drama.

After the news broke Tuesday, many Twitter users pointed out the irony that Netflix can afford to pay contestants $4.56 million, the largest cash prize in reality TV history, but recently laid off 150 employees.

Netflix laid off everyone to have people play Squid Games? Oh life is comical. Like this isn’t supposed to be funny but loooool WHAT?

— Najma Sharif (@overdramatique) June 14, 2022

So Netflix can lay off hella employees, not pay the creator of Squid Games a reasonable amount after the success of the series but can host a squid games reality show with the prize being 4.56 mil…

But they confused why ppl are cancelling their subscriptions lol ok

— Black Trans Lives Matter (@nic_qt) June 14, 2022

fly out a bunch of people for writing jobs, lay them off two weeks later, "sorry guys, budget cuts", big press release: "not wasting money on vanity projects anymore!", throw $4.56M cash prize + production costs at a game show

it's based on squid games. https://t.co/W8UaLC81nM

— cursed and cursing (@wtfvcc) June 15, 2022

Others noted that Netflix completely missed the point of the original series in creating the real-life competition. As one user wrote, "Have the people at Netflix watched Squid Game?"

Wow I guess Netflix didn’t even get the message of Squid Game (that the Squid Game is bad, and also capitalism)

— willy 🌜💧 (@willystaley) June 15, 2022

Squid Game: "Society and those above you in society would rather see you play in the hunger games for a chance at not being monstrously in debt than help you not die in the street. This shit isnt okay."

Netflix: "Yo wait LETS DO THIS IRL." https://t.co/XPZCHxY9OK pic.twitter.com/TKa07L4i67

— Erick (Ricko) (@JungDifffff) June 15, 2022

Have the people at Netflix watched Squid Game? Seems like they may have missed the entire fucking point of the show. https://t.co/0jFEeHwaC0

— Garth Iorgy (@GarthIorgy) June 15, 2022

Tell me you didn’t get Squid Game without telling me you didn’t get Squid Game 🙄 https://t.co/mLsycgJxes

— Evan Hayes (@its_hyphenated) June 15, 2022

amazing how the entire point of squid game has been ignored over and over since its release https://t.co/cTBQpjqhFZ

— dipper (@cyddybear) June 14, 2022

Squid Game follows 456 desperate contestants competing in a deadly game of survival in hopes of winning $45.6 billion. The drama ultimately suggests that capitalism drives people into desperate situations, where they are forced to pay with their lives for the entertainment of a select few at the top, and a slim chance at a better life.

Just like the original series, Squid Game: The Challenge will see 456 contestants compete for a chance at the multi-million dollar prize — but this time, they won't be risking their lives along the way.

Squid Game Season 1 is currently streaming on Netflix. The drama was renewed for a second season last week.

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Deena ElGenaidi's writing has been featured in Nylon, MTV News, Insider, The AV Club, and more. You can follow her on Twitter @deenaelg.